We're judged on just two things when we meet someone new

Harvard professor boils human interaction down to a couple of personality traits

Everyone knows that first impressions count. Humans make snap decisions about each other within seconds of meeting, and we don't even realise we're doing it.

According to research by Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy, we all judge other people based on just two personality traits: warmth and competence.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

In her new book Presence, the social psychologist details the main attributes we all subconsciously look for in others.

Cuddy, who has been researching human behaviour for 15 years, explains that in a first meeting with a new person, we ask ourselves two basic questions: 'Can I trust this person?' (warmth) and 'Can I respect this person?' (competence).

Clearly we're all big softies at heart, because the researcher has found that of the two top traits, we value warmth the most, both in our personal and work lives.

Clearly, if you want to get ahead, appearing capable over being nice might not be your best bet.

"If someone you're trying to influence doesn't trust you, you're not going to get very far; in fact, you might even elicit suspicion because you come across as manipulative," Cuddy continued.

"A warm, trustworthy person who is also strong elicits admiration, but only after you've established trust does your strength become a gift rather than a threat."

So there you have it, just being nice is the key to forming successful relationships. We might not be able to change our judgemental ways, but one thing we can do is try to display certain traits in order to make a good initial impression.

RED, PART OF THE HEARST UK FASHION & BEAUTY NETWORK
Red Online participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.